Engine driven chain saw and oiling system therefor



Sept. 1, 1953 E. c. KIEKHAEFER ENGINE DRIVEN- CHAIN SAW AND OILING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed April 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. elay/'w Sept. 1, 1953- E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,650,626

ENGINE DRIVEN CHAIN SAW AND OILING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed April 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 \J "1. I" N l N N a [j R INVENTOR.

Wow/76 Sept. 1, 1953 E. c. KIEKHAEFER ENGINE DRIVEN CHAIN SAW AND OILING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed April 21, 1948 .r 5 4 @w M a m WM 1 W w e 2% M Sept. 1, 1953 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,650,626

ENGINE DRIVEN CHAIN SAW AND OILING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed April 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 8 H i I. mJ mIEQ WQ WQ MQ-"E' Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENGINE DRIVEN CHAIN SAW AND OILING SYSTEM THEREFOR 12 Claims.

This invention relates to oiling systems for chain saws and particularly to high speed portable saws requiring continuous lubrication in service where the power source may be an internal combustion engine as here shown, or some other type of power such as air motors or electric motors.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a lubrication system for directing oil to the chain saw mounted at the engine driven end of the saw and operative with the clutch engagement device so that oil is delivered to the saw automatically as the saw is operated and delivery stopped when the clutch is disengaged so that no oil is wasted while the engine is running and the saw not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system for lubricating the chain of an engine driven chain saw and operable therewith which is disposed adjacent the chain for direction of the oil immediately thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system for lubricating the chain of an engine driven chain saw operable therewith which is disposed adjacent the chain and readily movable therewith relative to the engine to various cutting prositions.

Another object is to provide a system for lubricating the chain of an engine driven chain saw having a reservoir of substantial capacity and which is disposed adjacent the chain and movable therewith relative to the engine to various cutting positions without interfering with normal cutting operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubrication system which is positive and efficient in operation and which is readily adjustable from the engine operators position.

Another object is to provide a lubrication system that is unitary, compact and efiicient, and of relatively inexpensive construction.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows an engine driven chain saw with blade disposed for vertical cuts and for carrying;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a part of the saw blade disposed horizontally as for cutting down trees;

Fig. 3 is a view in part in side elevation and in part in cross-section of the transmission grease case and oil reservoir prior to assembly;

Fig. 4 is an axial section through the transmission case showing the clutch control mechanism in operative position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the mechanism in inoperative position;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation with parts broken away and sectioned showing the transmission case and oil reservoir;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken general- 1y on line 1-1 of Fig. 6 and showing the fluid circuit of the oiling system; and

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of the transmission grease case showing the driving sprocket, a part of the saw chain and the oil nozzle for directing a stream of oil to the chain.

The chain saw shown in the drawings includes the engine l, the transmission case 2 and the cutting chain 3 driven by engine I through the transmission gears and 5 in case 2.

The cutting chain 3 is carried by the flat guide rail 6. Grooves l in which lugs 8 of chain 3 ride are provided in the upper and lower edges of rail 6 to guide the chain.

The driving chain sprocket 9 and an idler sprocket, not shown, carried within the tail stock H] are located adjacent opposite ends of rail 6 and in alignment with grooves I to carry the chain around the opposite ends of the rail.

Horns i I are carried by case 2 and tail stock H) at the upper and lower working ends of rail 6 as a stop or to engage the wood, not shown, being out. One end of rail 6 is bolted to tail stock Hi and the opposite end is bolted to the transmission case 2 which carries driving sprocket 9 on the hollow transmission shaft l2 extending axially through case :2.

The engine crankshaft I3 extends into transmission case 2 at right angles to shaft [2 and carries the beveled pinion 4 which meshes with gear 5 secured on shaft l2. The clutch l4 mounted on shaft l2 with sprocket 9 outside of case 2 provides for the selective connection between theengine l and saw chain 2 for cutting.

The ring lock i5 joins engine I and case 2 and provides for rotational movement of case 2 and the saw chain 3 therewith relative to engine i about the axis of crankshaft l3 so that the saw may be disposed horizontally and vertically in either direction for various cutting operations while maintaining the engine upright.

Transmission case 2 is substantially cylindrical having a closed end through which shaft l2 extends and an opposite open end closed by the oil reservoir, as will be described. Transmission case 2 is normally filled with grease, not shown, for lubrication of gears 4 and 5.

the hollow bolt 49.

The reservoir for the oil, which is not shown, for lubrication of saw 3 comprises two shells I6 and I1 and the gasket I8 disposed between the rim of each shell to provide a seal therebetween. Shell I6 is disposed Within the open end of case 2 and is provided with a circumferential shoulder iii to fitthe circumferential edge of case 2. The gasket .20 is provided between case 2 and shell 55 to seal the closure. The bolts 2| shown extending through shells I 6 and I I into case 2 serve to secure the assembly tightly together. 7

Shell I! is shaped to provide two chambers 22 communicating with shell I6 and spaced to accommodate on the outside and therebetween the clutch operating mechanism, as will be described.

Shaft l2 extends from shell I! through shell i3 and case 2 and is journaled in bearings 23 carried by case 2 and shell i'l. Oil seals 2d in case 2 and shells It man r provided on shaft I2 to retain the grease in case 2 and the lubricatin g oil in shells I3 and I'l.

Therod 25 for operating clutch I4 is disposed within shaft I2 and is connected at one end to one element of the clut'ch. Theopposite end of the rod projects between ch'ambers 22 of shell ii and carries the clutchthrust plate 2S.

Theclutch spring 2;?fdisposed on rod 25 within shaft I2 normally biases and secures clutch It in engaged position The clutch throwout arm 23 carrying theadjust'able pin 29 to engage thrust plate 26 is pivotally secure dat its lower end by link 39 to 'shell' it between chambers 22. The clutch toggle lever 3| on the upper end of arm 28 is connected to shell I 'I'by link 32 to move arm 28 and eflectdisengagernent of clutch I l through pin 29 engaging thrust 'plate 25 on rod 25.

Control of clutch I4 i s provid'e'd through the flexible cable 33 connecting lever 3| and the finger control 34. Control 34 may be mounted on either one oftwo handles 35 secured to the engine Handles 35"are provided for carrying the engine end of the saw and "manipulating the same by the engineoperat'or. The handle 35 extending fromtail's'tock ID of the saw is provided for carrying that outer end of the saw and manipulating the same by'a second operator. The handle 36 may be eliminated or removed where the saw is operated by one man.

The purnpilfor pumping the oil from the reservoir to the saw comprises the plunger 38 carried within the body of shell I6 beneath shaft I2 and the connecting ring 39 eccentrically mounted on shaft I2 to reciprocate plunger 38 upon rotation of the shaft.

Thepassage 4E3 -in'shell I6 provides for supply of the oil within the reservoir shells I5 and Ii through theoil strainer 4| to the pump 3'5. A one way check valve 42 connects the pump 3? with the recess 43 between shells I5 and I'i. The ring gasket in recess 43 is adapted to withstand the high pressures developed therein by the pump.-

Thepassage 45 .inishell I6 communicates with recess 43 and the lower end of conduit 46 disposed. within-one chamber 22 of shell 17.

The upper end of conduit 46 connects with pas= sage M in theupper part of shell it which, in turn, connects with passage 48 in case 2 through The outer end of passage it is closed by the head of the bolt.

The nozzle 50 at'the opposite end of passage 46 is located adjacent the chain 3 on the upper side of rail 6 to. dire'cta streamof oil to the chain as the saw is'opei'ated.

The by-pass valve 5| in shell I! opens into recess 43 and when open allows oil to pass from pump 3? back to the oil reservoir through passage 52 in shell IT. The valve 5| is of the plunger type and the plunger extends through the shell ii and has an oil seal 53. The spring 54 on the outside of shell I1 encircles theplunger and bears outwardly against the plunger head t'o normally bias valve 5| in a direction to close the same. The adjustable screw 55 carried by thrust plate 28 engages the end of valve 5| so that when clutch it is disengaged'by moving rod 25 within shaft it, screw 55 also moves the plunger of va1ve 5| against the biasing action of spring 54 to open. the valve and allow the oil to return to the reservoir through passage 52.

The oil filler plug 56 and vent screw 51 are. conveniently located in the upper parts of cham-- bers 22, respectively, of shell I1. I 7v Varying amounts of oil may be delivered to the saw by adjustment ofscrew '55 providing'for predetermined lay-passing of the oil'at'all times.

The plunger pump is wholly disposed within. the oil r'eservoinso that'no leakage and loss of. oil is possible and the entire oiling system is internally disposed within the transmission case'2 and shells i6 and IT. I t

The oil system and pump is fully operative in. all operative positions of the saw, and always functions when the clutchisclosed to drive'th'e chain.

The invention provides a simple structurewhich is readily adapted for conversion of equipment to improve theoiling of the sa'w. The chain is oiled on the top of the guide rail"justasthechain emergesfrom the drive mechanism, "and the oil remains onthe chain without'beingthrown oh and is distributed thereon by the time'it reaches the outer end of the guide rail-so "that the oil remains on the chain as it returns through the cut.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope'of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

l. A clutch and lubricationassemblyjfor a chain saw comprising a driving sprocket for the chain, a shaitrotatably carryingsaidsprocket, a clutch carried by said shaft selectively connecting said'shaft and sprocket for. driving the latter, an oil'piimp operated by'said shaft independently of the drivingconnection'of said shaft and sprocket, an 'oilreservoir enclosing said pump,'an oilpa'ssa'gewithin the "body of said. reservoir for delivery of f oil from said reservoir to'said pump, a second'oil 'passage'fr'or'n pump to the chain, a pressure relieving spring closed valve for said second passage-and disposed to dischargeintdsaid reservoir, 'and a common actuator connectedto said clutch and said relieving valvebrovidihg" for selective closing of said valve "-byits springwhen said clutch is engaged 'and'op'ening 'sa'idv'alve when said'clutch is disengaged.

2. A transmission and lubrication assembly for a chain saw and the like'comprisingdriver and driven gearsga transmissioncase' "forsaid gears, an oil reservoir clo'sing"and"'securd'to said transmission case, a hollow shaft'carry'ing said driven gear and carried by and; extending through said case and reservoin'a" clutchmounted on said shaft and"disposed"to"'drive the chain from the shaft, a clutch operating rod extending longitudinally through 'saidfshaft," an oil delivery system withifisai'd reservoir" operated by said shaft, a pressure nozzle disposed to deliver oil from said system to the saw chain, valve means for controlling the operation of said system, and a common actuator for said valve means and said clutch operating rod to simultaneously selectively control the oil delivery of said system and the operative engagement of said clutch.

3. An assembly for an engine driven chain saw and the like comprising driving and driven gears, an oil delivery pump, a shaft carrying said driven gear and connected to said pump, a case carrying said shaft having a first chamber enclosing said gears and to contain lubricant there for and a removable closure member therefor comprising a second chamber for oil and enclosing said pump, and oil passages disposed to deliver oil from said second chamber to said pump and from said pump to the saw chain.

4. A transmission and lubrication assembly for a chain saw and the like comprising a sprocket for the chain, a clutch for said sprocket, driving and driven gears, an oil delivery pump, a shaft carrying said clutch and said driven gear and operatively connected to said pump, a case carrying said shaft having a first chamber enclosing said gears and to contain lubricant therefor and a second chamber for oil and enclosing said pump, oil passages within the walls of said case delivering oil from said second chamber to said pump and from said pump to the chain, a by-pass opening from said last named passage within the wall of said case into said second chamber, a valve carried by said case controlling said by-pass, and mechanism carried by said case and connected to said clutch and said valve to operate the same in correlation.

5. In an engine driven chain saw, an engine, a chain carried by a guide rail, a driving sprocket for the chain disposed at one end of the rail, a clutch, a shaft carrying said clutch and the driving sprocket, transmission gears connecting the engine and said shaft, a case carrying said shaft for enclosing said gears and connecting the engine and said one end of the rail, an oil pump operatively connected to said shaft, an oil reservoir secured to said case and enclosing said pump, a passage from said reservoir and having an outlet adjacent the chain for delivering oil thereto, a pressure relieving valve for said pump opening into said oil reservoir, and mechanism connected to said clutch and said valve for selectively closing said valve when said clutch is engaged and opening said valve when said clutch is disengaged.

6. In an engine driven chain saw, an engine, a chain carried by a rail, a driving sprocket disposed at one end of the rail, a clutch, a shaft carrying said clutch and the driving sprocket, transmission gears connecting the engine and said shaft, a case carrying said shaft for enclosing said gears and connected to said one end of the rail, a bearing rotatably connecting said case and the engine providing selective angular adjustment of said case and the rail and chain relative to the engine, an oil pump operatively connected to said shaft, a shell secured to one end of said case providing an oil reservoir, an oil passage within the walls of said case having an outlet adjacent the chain, a pressure relieving valve for said pump discharging into said reservoir, said oil pump and passage and said shell being rotatable with said case, a control lever mounted on the engine, and means connecting said lever and said clutch and flexible mechanical valve for selectively controlling the operation of said clutch and valve in correlation.

7. In a chain saw having a power source, an oil reservoir, and adjustable oil-pumping and delivery means driven directly by the power source, said means including a manual valvecontrolled passage for return of oil to said reservoir and a delivery passage having a restricted orifice directed toward the saw chain whereby a predetermined volume of oil from said reservoir is applied to the chain immediately upon closing of said return passage for lubrication of the chain during the operation of the latter.

8. In a chain saw having a power source and a clutch operatively connecting the power source and the chain, a chain lubricant reservoir, pumping means driven by the power source, a supply passag from said reservoir to said pumping means, a delivery conduit from said pumping means terminating adjacent to the saw chain, a return conduit .from said pumping means to said reservoir, valve means controlling at least one of said conduits, and a manually operable lever connected to said clutch and said valve means for controlling the delivery of oil from said pumping means selectively to said reservoir and to the chain in correlation to the operation of the clutch, whereby a volume of lubricant from said reservoir is immediately available for application to the chain during chain operation.

9. In a chain saw, an engine, a driven shaft having a sprocket at one end thereof adapted to drive the chain, a transmission case supporting said one end of said driven shaft and having a chamber with an opposite opening, a guide rail for the chain rigidly secured to said transmission case, a passage within said case from adjacent the opening thereof and terminating adjacent to the chain, an oil delivery system including a piston operatively mounted on said driven shaft, and a shell forming an oil reservoir and having a cylinder operatively supporting said piston, said shell being removably secured within said opening of said case to close the chamber thereof and including an oil delivery conduit from said cylinder having an open end disposed to register with said passage for the delivery of oil thereto and to the chain.

10. In a chain saw, an engine including a crankshaft and a crankcase therefor, a bevel drive gear secured to the end of said crankshaft exteriorly of said crankcase, a driven shaft having a sprocket at one end thereof adapted to drive the chain and a bevel gear meshing with said first named gear, a transmission case supporting said one end of said driven shaft and having a chamber with an opposite opening, a guide rail for the chain rigidly secured to said transmission case, said case being rotatably secured to said engine crankcase for relative adjustrnent of said guide rail on the axis of said bevel drive gear, a passage within said case from adjacent the opening thereof and terminating adjacent to the chain, an oil delivery system including a pump operatively mounted on said driven shaft, an oil reservoir enclosing said pump and removably secured within the opening of said case to close the chamber, said reservoir including an oil delivery conduit from said pump disposed to register with said passage for the delivery of oil to the chain and having a hearing supporting the other end of said driven shaft.

11. In a chain saw, an engine, a guide rail 7 carrying the saw chain, a transmission case eari'ying said guide rail and connected to said engine for relative rotation on an axis to dispose the guide rail in any of "several cutting positions, a sprocket carried by said transmission case for driving the saw chain, transmission means driven by said engine and including a shaft carried by said transmission case, a clutch selectively connecting "said shaft and sprocket and including means for control thereof by the operator, a chamber for a chain lubricant formed by said transmission case, fluid pressure means having a passage connected to said chamber to receive case and driven by fsaid s'ha 'ft independently of the "operative connection a: the engine withsaid sprocket by -'sa'id clutch whereby said pressure means 'is in -opration"at all times concurrently with the operation (if the 'e'ngine, 'a second pas- :sage from 'said pressrire ineans having a restricted opening adjacent to the saw chain 'for delivery of thelubricant theret'o, and valve mea'ns'adapted to be controlled by the operator and to close said return passage Wherby "the lubricant is immediately directed through said-second pasedge "to "the saw chain.

12 in "a 'chain saw, an engine, =a guide mi yi g the saw chain, a Sprocket driving the 'sa'w chain, transmission means driven by said engine and including-a shaf t, a clutch selectively connecting said shaft and sprocket including means for control thereoi, by the operator, a reservoir for a chain lubrica flu d p e means having a passage connected to said reservoir to receive lubricant therefrom and a relief passage from said pressure means to said reservoir for recirculation of the lubricant, said fluid pressure means being driven by said shaft independently of the operative connection of the engine with said sprocket by said clutch where by said pressure means is in operation at all times concurrently with the operation of the engine, a second passage from said pressure means and having a restricted opening adjacent to the saw chain for delivery of the lubricant thereto, and valve :means adaptedto be controlled by the operator-and "to ,close said return passage -whereby the lubricant is immediately directed to said secondpassage-and the saw chain.

ELMER C.

References .Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STAT-ES PATENTS "Number llame Date -1;620,1'35 Seekamp Mar. '8, 1927 "2, 184,'4'6l Man Dec. 26, 1939 23701556 Mall Feb. 27, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number :Countrgy Date 12213659 :S-witzerland Aug. 17, 1942 221,660 Switzerland July 15, 1940 

